Where to Start with Mushroomhead
Mushroomhead have always been the underdogs and never quite get the respect they deserve. Formed in 1993 the band has gone on to release 7 albums, three of which were self-financed and self-released, an achievement in itself in the modern music world. Known for their duel vocals, masks and horror themes this is one hard hitting band. This hardworking and hard touring band with a formidable live presence have earned themselves the accolade of being known for putting on fantastic live shows. Surviving multiple line-up changes and other problems which would have killed off most bands this is one band that you really wouldn’t want to bet against. As lead vocalist Jeffrey Nothing puts it in the song ‘Come On’ so eloquently “Do you really want to f**k with me tonight?”
XIII
This was the album that saw Mushroomhead come into their own. The trade-off between duel vocalists Jeffrey Nothing and J Mann make the band stand out from other bands. XIII contains the best examples of the duel vocals working effectively as one oiled machine. J Mann’s shouts added passion and aggression, although some may find J Mann’s style unsavoury the listener needs to delve further into the lyrics and they will discover intelligent and deep lyrical themes. This album contained songs that were more brutal than anything the band had produced before. There was more of an emphasis on groove and power in the songs. The keyboard sections started to take a back seat although some memorable parts were present. Standout tracks include ‘Sun Doesn’t Rise’, ‘Eternal’, ‘Kill Tomorrow’ and ‘Becoming Cold (216)’.
Superbuick
The second of three self-financed and self-released albums made by the band between 1993-1999, this album had some of the most memorable songs created in this period. A total of seven out of eleven songs were remastered and made it on to the compilation album XX where the band first signed to a major record label. The difference between the original and the remastered version seems to take away some of the charm of the originals. Some fans argue that the XX version was over produced and some of the eccentric feel of the music had been taken away. I would tend to agree and would argue that the original version of these songs has a certain appeal to them. It is also interesting to hear the work the band produced on their own budget. The lyrics written on this album really set the band apart from others in the same genre. ‘The Wrist’ even has lyrics inspired by Star Wars that still make sense in the context of the song and actually leave behind something deeply meaningful for the listener. Some tracks that didn't make it onto XX like 'Idle Worship' and 'Big Brother' are worthy and in my opinion should have been included. Some of the best tracks on the album include ‘Bwomp’ ‘These Filthy Hands’ ‘The Wrist’ and ‘ Never Let it Go’
Savior Sorrow
Arguably the most accessible album that the band have created, with a reduction in some of the keyboard parts that the band originally based their song writing process on and more of a focus on guitar riffs and bass grooves. This was also the first album to feature vocalist Waylon after he replaced J Mann who left the band due to personal reasons. Waylon added a new level of dexterity to the band who were able to use his talents to sing melodic parts as well as for the shouting parts that his predecessor was renowned for. Whilst some fans were critical and slow in accepting Waylon, he has gone on to prove himself as a worthy replacement for J Mann. Songs on this album tend to follow a more standard pattern and the band came up with some of the catchiest songs in their repertoire. For me some of the intelligent lyrics were lost and melodic and catchy parts were used in their place. This was the start of a new direction for Mushroomhead and almost set a definition between the J Mann era and the Waylon era. The album delivers a great mix up of songs with varying degrees of heaviness and shouting/melodic singing styles so that no two consecutive songs sound too similar. Some of the standout tracks from this album include ‘Erase the Doubt’, ‘Simple Survival’, ’12 Hundred’ and ‘The Need’
M3
This was the last of the self-financed and self-released album and like the others is hard to find. Five of the original ten tracks made it on to the compilation album XX when the band got signed. This album also contains the song that the band is best known for ‘Solitaire/Unravelling’. Like the other self-released albums there is a certain charm to the tracks. The rawness adds to the songs and the passion in the playing is more easily noticeable. Guest vocalist Scot Edgell appeared on two tracks ‘The Final Act’ and one of my personal favourites ‘The New Cult King’. This song has some of Mushroomheads most thought provoking and intelligent lyrics and builds up to a fantastic finish.
Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
There seems to be more of a focus on delivering heavy songs on this album. Waylon who on the previous album had showcased his ability to both sing melodically and shout adopts more shouting on his second outing with the band. Little Dan (L.D.) also officially joined the band as a fully-fledged member after touring as a tour drummer mainly for the visually impressive water drumming on stage. ‘Harvest the Garden’ showcases the drumming talent within the band. Lead single ‘Come On’ will appeal to knuckleheaded fans and feels dumbed down in comparison to the bands previous efforts. However, this album also contains my personal favourite Mushroomhead song ‘Burn the Bridge’. Overall this album seems to be an excellent addition to the bands back catalogue, however some of the things the band were known for seem to have fallen away and this is definitely detached from earlier records. Not all change is bad and there are certainly some highlights on this album. I also think that the bass is not quite matched with the other instruments and is often lost. When you do hear the bass section it is impressive and should have been made louder! Pig Benis was an incredible bass player and will be missed on future records after Gravy (guitarist) and Benis decided to leave the band in Feb ’12.
The Essential Mushroomhead Playlist
Sun Doesn't Rise - XIII
Solitaire/Unravelling – M3 (XX)
The New Cult King – M3 (XX)
The Wrist – Superbuick (XX)
Burn the Bridge – Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
Erase the Doubt – Savior Sorrow
Bwomp – Superbuick (XX)
These Filthy Hands – Superbuick (XX)
Eternal - XIII
The Need – Savior Sorrow
Slaughterhouse Road - Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
Simple Survival - Savior Sorrow
Becoming Cold (216) - XIII
Inspiration - Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
Never Let it Go – Superbuick (XX)
Before I Die – M3 (XX)
Kill Tomorrow - XIII
43 – Mushroomhead (XX)
Harvest the Garden - Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
The Final Act – M3
Idle Worship – Superbuick
Big Brother - Superbuick
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Solitaire/Unravelling – M3 (XX)
The New Cult King – M3 (XX)
The Wrist – Superbuick (XX)
Burn the Bridge – Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
Erase the Doubt – Savior Sorrow
Bwomp – Superbuick (XX)
These Filthy Hands – Superbuick (XX)
Eternal - XIII
The Need – Savior Sorrow
Slaughterhouse Road - Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
Simple Survival - Savior Sorrow
Becoming Cold (216) - XIII
Inspiration - Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
Never Let it Go – Superbuick (XX)
Before I Die – M3 (XX)
Kill Tomorrow - XIII
43 – Mushroomhead (XX)
Harvest the Garden - Beautiful Stories For Ugly Children
The Final Act – M3
Idle Worship – Superbuick
Big Brother - Superbuick
by RazorRich for mlm